Archive for the ‘Life’ Category

Chakras – seven Hindu energy centers of the body, beginning at the base of the spine to the top of the head,that assist us in our flow thru life. The theory is that “balanced” Chakras lead to a balanced, fully expressed life experience = good health. Expressions such as, “cleansing” or “unblocking” refers to re aligning ourselves with what our bodies are telling us. Interesting.

(There are many online sites that provide ‘how to”s.)

Below are the 7 Chakra points with their energy centers, colors and gemstones:

1- Root: Base of the spine (survival issues)/ Red – Garnet

2- Spleen: Below the navel (emotions) /Orange- Carnelian

3- Solar Plexus: Above the navel (our energy center)/Yellow – Citrine

4- Heart: Chest (Love for others)/ Green – Aventurine

5- Throat: Base of the throat (inner voice) / Blue – Turquoise

6- Brow: Third eye (knowing) / Blue Indigo- Lapis

7- Crown: Top of head (healing energy) / Purple – Amethyst

BTW: While traveling in Egypt, our esteemed guide shared that the 7 Chakras correspond to some of the Sacred Temples along the Nile:

There may be some people that get confused about their Astrology birth sign because they were born on the Cusp of 2 Sun signs:

Aries: March 21-April 19

Taurus: April 20-May 21

Gemini: May 22-June 20

Cancer: June 21-July 22

Leo: July 23- Aug 22

Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21

Sagittarius Nov 22-Dec 21

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20

I call them “Cusp Babies”. They get annoyed- not when I call them that, but because the start / end dates of a Sun Sign’s duration “calendar travels” from year to year.

Depending on location, year and month you were born in the world, the Astrological sign changeover can be anywhere from the 18th to the 23rd of the month.

Example: the Sun entered Aquarius on FridayJanuary 20, 2012 (11:10 am EST/ 8:10 am PST). If a child was born earlier than 8:10 in the morning in Los Angeles on 1/20/12 – the Sun was in the previous sign of Capricorn. If born later – the baby has an Aquarius Sun (of course the clock varies by Time Zone, but you get the drift).

Regardless of when you were born, you have a Sun Sign. If you were born on a cusp day, you just need to have complete birth info – specific time/place/date- to really nail down your sign.

You’ve determined your Sun Sign, but what about the other sign that is so close its only separated by minutes/hours? Depending on where planets show up and/or congregate in a chart, the individual will often have characteristics of sign # 2 as well. As in life, in astrology no one is one dimensional. (You can read information about both signs just to give yourself a rounded feeling)

The Sun Sign is the light reflecting the self. How we behave when our backs are to the wall, pressed, fight or flight situations, etc. As complex people, we radiate several lights – perhaps just not all at the same time.

BTW: The Earth’s rotation actually determines the start dates of a sign – not the Sun. The dates can vary by as much as 2 days depending on when a leap year occurs.

As the world turns, the Sun appears to flow from one Zodiac sign to another. Since the Earth wobbles, it takes slightly more than 365 days — actually 365 + 1/4 days. Because of this, our calendars must be adjusted to compensate for this difference.\\

I call them the “Big 10”. Yes, there are only 8 “planets” (I still keep Pluto on the list even though it was reclassified as a “dwarf” in 2006), but the 2 luminaries – Sun and Moon – are always included when discussing Astrology.

Planets are the spark plugs in an Astrology chart. They each have a job to do as they energize the many facets of an individual’s personality and life. In addition, a planet is said to have “rulership” of a particular sign (it will be at its happiest and most potent energy when transiting there – fully expressed).

The Planets are listed below along with their Zodiac sign rulerships and duties:

Venus * Taurus and Libra: Love, beauty and how we view/value ourselves and money

Mars * Aries: Action, conflict, sexuality

Jupiter * Sagittarius: Expansion, recreation, philosophy

Saturn * Capricorn: Discipline, boundaries, authority

Uranus * Aquarius: Change, the unconventional, extremes

Neptune * Pisces: Spirituality, dreams, illusion

Pluto * Scorpio: Unconscious, breaking down and rebuilding, secrets

The location of a planet in a birth chart – its House placement, its Astrology Sign – can influence how we act/respond in particular areas of our lives as they currently transit and move around our chart today.

Valentine’s Day, Sunday February 14, 2016, isn’t just about flowers and candy. Its also about acknowledging delightful partnerships, a special someone. Remember that party Bar pick up line from the 70’s – “Hey, what’s your sign?”. It didn’t always result in a “you complete me” hookup, but, it’s a great question if looking for “interesting” company. Astrology signs are grouped from Aries to Pisces – all 12 have a partner. Does it mean that the sign opposite yours is your “soul mate” – not necessarily, but, there may be undeniable heat, attraction and fun.

Sun Signs are listed below with their direct opposites in the Zodiac. Either you will find spending time with the other sign tangy and energizing or the relationship may need compromise and patience, but, generally, consider them the other side of your coin, another piece of the “couple” puzzle:

Aries: March 21-April 19 (Energetic, Impulsive) and

Libra: Sept 23-Oct 22 (Charming, Social)

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Taurus: April 20-May 21 (Solid, Responsible, Patient) and

Scorpio: Oct 23-Nov 21 (Intense, Deep Connections)

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Gemini: May 22-June 20 (Logical, Communicative, Versatile) and

Sagittarius: Nov 22-Dec 21 (Adventurous, Enthusiastic, Optimistic)

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Cancer: June 21-July 22 (Family Oriented, Emotional) and

Capricorn: Dec 22-Jan 19 (Traditional, Disciplined, Ambitious)

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Leo: July 23- Aug 22 (Pride, Fun Loving, Generous) and

Aquarius: Jan 20-Feb 18 (Unpredictable, Freedom loving)

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Virgo: Aug 23-Sept 22 (Its All in the Details, Service) and

Pisces: Feb 19-March 20: (Dreamer, Sensitive)

Happy Valentine’s Day!

May there be lots of XOXOs for you & your partner, regardless of Sun Sign.

An article by Fred Kaplan, “1959: Sex, Jazz, and Datsuns” featured in a past issue of New York Magazine determines that 1959 was an important year for music, politics, world dynamics, social issues, and the arts. The 60’s might have gotten more press, but, 1959 was the year of change, innovation, out of the box thinking.

The magazine piece is based on Kaplan’s book, “1959: The Year Everything Changed”. He presents his examples of some of the greatest happenings of this special year and they include:

*Actor turned director John Cassavetes was perhaps the first “Indie” filmmaker with his partly improvised script for his movie “Shadows”.

*Completion of the GuggenheimMuseum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, changed the NYC sky line on the upper East Side.

*The first micro chip introduced by Texas Instruments.

*The release of the Miles Davis album (they were albums then) “Kinda Blue” (considered by many to be best jazz recording ever).

*Cuban revolutionary Fidel Castro invited to NYC and staying at the St Teresa Hotel in Harlem.

*The emergence of Malcolm X and his conversations on race and politics.

On Friday, New Years Eve, the Moon will move into Sagittarius, 5:21PM West/ 8:27PM East, just in time for the 2011 ball drop, fireworks, happy smooches. This fire sign shouldn’t disappoint. Upbeat, uptempo, optimistic vibes will be out there to elevate our mood.

2011 – a blank slate, an empty canvas, can be exciting. We can fill our empty calendars with fresh events and big plans. Acknowledge our accomplishments and triumphs from 2010 and those that supported us thru them. Say “thank you”. Celebrate. Choose joy.

On Sunday evening as the Moon moves into Earthly Capricorn, we can use this sign’s ambition and structure to start the year with focus and purpose.

December 17th has the possibilities of being a loving, luxurious Friday or a stubborn, determined one. Just depends. Earth sign Taurus Moon speaks to beauty, sensuality and also the obstinate bull in us. Hmmmm, which way to go?

The Saturday evening Moon sends us into the fast talking, project juggling, change loving world of Gemini. Duality is the key word– yes, we can often do 2 things at once, but no, it doesn’t go well all the time. Be versatile and focused – it can work.

The final Mercury Retrograde of 2010 began on December 10th in the Earth sign of Capricorn. The Communication planet continues its backward moves until December 29th West Coast/ 30th East Coast.

It will stop motion in Capricorn, back into Sagittarius on December 19th and continue until it reverses to Direct at the end of the month. (it will move forward and reach Capricorn again on January 13, 2011)

Mercury is all about writing and speaking. Also, transportation, types of movement, how we deal with variety. Capricorn is the 10th sign of the Zodiac and is associated with career, ambition and duty. Since Mercury Retrograde can often cause confusion, misunderstandings, snafus – my suggestion is to rethink, re plan, revisit communications that are business and/or responsibility related. Are there any “being in charge” details that need to be looked at again, points sharpened, thoughts explained more clearly. Tighten up a resume, go over job interview skills, review details of any scheduled appointments. (Catch an error and “save face”.)

This is the Holiday season and Mercury will eventually back into upbeat Sagittarius, the sign of “more”. This can be great fun, but, with all the busyness, have you overlooked any details? Be organized. Make sure those toys have the batteries needed. Don’t book a flight to Paris,Texas when you actually made plans to meet friends at the Eiffel Tower. (No disrespect to Texas intended). Misreading a bank balance can fog the reality that 10 bottles of champagne is more manageable than a case?

As always, where Mercury appears in the individual chart determines what part of life is most affected by the planet’s Retrograde motion, but regardless, being careful and mindful of pitfalls is a good thing. Delay major plans if you can until after the 1st of the year.

Friday December 3rd begins with the Moon in sensitive, passionate Scorpio. The usual themes for this intense Water sign apply. Deep feelings, determined and focused action can all be part of the Scorpio Moon transit.

However, you will notice a mood shift as the Moon enters Sagittarius on Saturday and culminates in the Fire sign’s New Moon phase on Sunday. Abundance, fun, largest is best, far reaching ideas, etc. are all part of this Jupiter ruled Zodiac sign.

Launch, create, kick-off, manifest – the New Moon is a great time to start something, especially with the optimistic, good luck Sag vibe. Of course success isn’t guaranteed, you still gotta do the work, but the universe and lunar energy will support you – which is nothing to sneeze at. Take advantage, work it – but, don’t get too cocky, its all in the details.

Have a big, productive weekend!

FYI = The Moon is “New” when its in the same sign as the Sun (Sun entered Sagittarius on 11/22/10). Even though the Moon will go on to another sign (Capricorn on Monday afternoon), the supportive “New” energy lasts for approximately 10 days.

This is a short work week for most, so I’m starting the weekend a little early. On Thursday November 25th, the Happy Thanksgiving Day Moon is in its own food, family, nurture Water sign of Cancer – perfect. Be full, comfy and share. Don’t forget to be “thankful”.

Later that evening, the Moon shifts to generous, fun loving, attention getting Leo. Friday and Saturday will give you time to smile, savor leftovers, show off a little, have fun.

Early morning on Sunday, the Virgo Moon brings us back to basics with health and work focus – conscious eating habits, duty, getting things done. We are ready for the work week.